Looking for tips on how to choose CCTV for home in Malaysia? Whether you’re living in a condo or a terrace house, one thing is for sure: we all want to feel safe. CCTV cameras are no longer just for rich people or big shops. But the moment you start shopping, you’ll realise there are so many types of CCTVs available. Wired or wireless? Cloud storage or SD card? Night vision or not?
In this article, we’ll guide you on how to choose the best CCTV camera that fits your home, budget, and lifestyle. Let’s get started!
Editor
Mae An NG chevron_right
Table of Contents
How to Choose CCTV for Home
Knowing your main reason helps you decide what features are most important. If you're figuring out how to choose cctv for home for general security, a mix of features will be good.
Indoor or Outdoor? Know where you’ll place it
Where do I want to place the camera? Consider these:
- Outdoor CCTV: These go outside, like at your gate, porch, or car park. They MUST be weatherproof. The weather is sometimes hot or rainy. So, outdoor cameras need to withstand all that. Make sure they are at least IP65 rated for water and dust resistance. This is a key point in how to choose cctv for home if you need to monitor your home's exterior.
- Indoor CCTV: Great for monitoring your living room, baby room, or even a storeroom. Usually smaller and easier to hide.
Tip: Outdoor cameras need better night vision and a stronger build. Make sure the specs mention “IP65” or higher, which means it’s weatherproof.
Wired or Wireless – Which One Should You Get?
The first decision is to choose between a wired or wireless CCTV system.
Wired CCTV:
- Uses physical cables for both power and video.
- Offers a stable connection and less interference.
- Ideal for long-term setups in landed homes or shops.
- Harder to tamper with, more reliable for 24/7 recording.
Wireless CCTV:
- Uses Wi-Fi to transmit footage.
- Easier to install, no drilling or messy cables.
- Great for rental homes, condos, or people who move frequently.
- Some models still need a power cable, while others run on rechargeable batteries
Our Tip:
If you own your home and want full coverage with no interruptions, go wired. But if you want convenience, go wireless—just make sure your Wi-Fi is stable.
Look at the Camera Resolution
Image quality is important when it comes to CCTVs. You want a camera that captures clear footage, especially when you need to zoom in on faces or car plates.
Common options:
- 720p (HD) – Basic quality, usable but a bit grainy.
- 1080p (Full HD) – Clear and detailed. This is the minimum you should go for.
- 2K/4K – Super sharp. Ideal for large properties or high-risk areas.
Pro Tip:
Don’t just go by resolution. Check video sample clips from reviews to see how the footage looks during the day and night.
Make Sure It Has Night Vision
Most break-ins and suspicious activities happen at night, so your camera must have proper night vision.
Types of night vision:
- Infrared (IR) – Shows black & white footage in the dark.
- Full-Colour Night Vision – Uses extra lighting or special sensors to keep the footage in colour even at night.
Our Suggestion:
Get at least IR night vision with a 10-15 metres range. If budget allows, go for full-colour night vision—it's clearer and easier to review.
Motion Detection and Real-Time Alerts
Modern CCTV cameras come with smart motion detection. This means they’ll alert you (usually via app notification) when someone walks past the camera.
Some systems let you:
- Customise activity zones (e.g., only alert when someone is at your gate, not your cat walking around).
- Trigger alarms or lights automatically.
- Record only when motion is detected, saving storage space.
This feature is super useful for busy people who don’t have time to monitor footage all day.
Storage Options – Where Is Your Footage Saved?
Local Storage:
- Uses microSD cards (usually up to 128GB).
- No monthly fees.
- But it can be stolen if the camera is damaged.
Cloud Storage:
- Saves your footage online, accessible from anywhere.
- Often comes with monthly subscription fees.
- More secure, especially if your camera gets stolen.
NVR/DVR (For wired setups):
- Saves footage to a Network Video Recorder (NVR) or Digital Video Recorder (DVR).
- Offers larger storage (1TB and above), great for 4-8 camera systems.
Quick Tip:
Some cameras support both microSD and cloud—the best of both worlds!
Audio Features – One-Way or Two-Way?
Audio support lets you listen in or speak through the camera.
- One-way audio – You can hear what’s going on.
- Two-way audio – You can also talk to the person on the other end (like a delivery rider or intruder).
This is especially useful for:
- Talking to your children or elderly parents at home.
- Giving instructions to delivery riders.
- Scaring off strangers
App Support and Remote Access
Always check if the CCTV has a mobile app that supports:
- Live viewing
- Motion alerts
- Footage playback
- Multi-camera view
- Smart home integration (Google Assistant, Alexa)
Top brands have well-reviewed apps that are user-friendly and updated frequently.
If you’re always on the go, this is a must-have.
Field of View (FOV) and Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ)
A wider field of view means fewer cameras are needed to cover your home.
- 90° – 110°: Good for small areas like a corridor.
- 120° – 160°: Ideal for living rooms or porches.
Some cameras even offer Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) features:
- Pan left and right.
- Tilt up and down.
- Zoom in on objects.
These are perfect for monitoring large areas like a car porch or backyard.
Power Options
For wireless cameras, you have two main power options:
Plug-in:
- Constant power via cable.
- No need to recharge, but placement depends on power point availability.
Battery-powered:
- Fully wireless, can be placed anywhere.
- Need to recharge every few weeks/months depending on usage.
Some cameras also support solar panel charging, which is perfect for outdoor setups in Malaysia’s sunny weather.
Budget – What Should You Expect to Spend?
Here’s a general price guide:
|
Camera Type |
Price Range (MYR) |
|
Basic indoor 720p cam |
RM70 – RM120 |
|
1080p smart camera |
RM150 – RM250 |
|
Outdoor night vision cam |
RM250 – RM400 |
|
2K/4K resolution cams |
RM400 – RM800+ |
|
Full CCTV kits (4 cams + NVR) |
RM900 – RM2000+ |
Pro Tip:
Look out for Shopee/Lazada sales, especially 6.6, 7.7, 11.11, etc. You can get quality brands at lower prices.
Final Tips Before You Buy
- Map out your camera coverage before buying. Know where you want them—front gate, porch, living room, back alley, etc.
- Check for installation services. Some sellers offer setup services, especially for wired systems.
- Read user reviews on Shopee/Lazada or YouTube to see real-life performance.
- Don’t forget to check the warranty—go for products with at least a 1-year local warranty.
- Think long-term—is this something you can upgrade or expand later?
Summary: What to Look for in a Home CCTV System
|
Feature |
What to Look For |
|
Connection Type |
Wired (stable) or Wireless (flexible) |
|
Resolution |
At least 1080p Full HD |
|
Night Vision |
IR or full-colour night vision |
|
Audio |
Two-way for better interaction |
|
Storage |
Cloud + SD card or NVR |
|
App Support |
Easy live view, alerts, and playback |
|
Field of View |
120° or more for wide coverage |
|
Budget |
From RM150 and up, depending on needs |
Final Thoughts
So now you know how to choose CCTV for home that suits your needs. Most importantly, make sure it helps you feel safe and secure in your own home. At the end of the day, peace of mind is priceless. Don’t wait until something bad happens. Install your CCTV now and sleep better at night.
Looking for the best CCTV in Malaysia? Check out our full list of recommended CCTVs.